Parliamentary Committee for Economic Affairs, Industry and Trade
chairman Luhaga Mpina speaks at Bunge Offices in Dar es Salaam at a past
event.The $350 million scandal involving Vodacom Tanzania and one of its super dealers, Shivacom, turned even more sour yesterday when the Parliamentary Committee on Industry and Trade rejected an official explanation from the Tanzania Revenue Authority (TRA). The committee asked the tax collector to prepare a comprehensive report after rejecting a two-page document that TRA gave the committee on the grounds that there were no specific details.
The committee, chaired by Kisesa Member of
Parliament Luhaga Mpina (CCM), said it needed more information as plenty
of money was involved. It asked the TRA officials to deliver a
comprehensive report before 15 May.
According to Mr Mpina, the TRA report should cover
the trade volume during their five-year pact, actual figures on the
loss arising from fake airtime vouchers and tax paid on the vouchers.
A statement TRA tabled yesterday indicates that
there have indeed been complaints about the bogus vouchers, but the
amount quoted in the media does not match the complaints from swindled
customers. TRA officials told the committee: “We admit that there has
been duplication of airtime vouchers in the market. The figures that we
have currently amount to Sh74.3 million. That amount came from the
number of claims from customers.”
Mr Mpina wondered why TRA issued such a short
statement when it had been asked for a detailed report as far back as
February. He went on: “There are serious allegations here involving a
lot of money and we need a deep explanation on it. What are you hiding?
These are the issues that create tension.”
TRA and the Ministry of Finance were asked to
follow-up the matter closely and come up with details about the contract
between Vodacom and Shivacom.
Kigoma South MP David Kafulila (NCCR-Mageuzi) said
it appeared TRA was trying to cover up details of the contract between
Vodacom and Shivacom. The MP, who first spoke on the matter in
Parliament some months ago, said TRA should ensure all details were
available to clear the air since the matter was of public interest.
“Let’s not take this issue lightly,” he added.
“Those involved should be named and and face legal action.” When TRA
comes before the committee on May 15, he expects the team to be fully
prepared to answer all questions the committee and the general public
want answered. In the meantime, the committee will also be seeking more
information from stakeholders.
Earlier in the week, Vodacom broke its silence on
the alleged $350 million (Sh700 billion) fraud, saying in a
carefully-worded statement that it has terminated a lucrative tender
with Shivacom over “duplicate airtime vouchers” circulating on the
market.
Vodacom denied that the vouchers were worth about
Sh700 billion. It said the sum was grossly inflated but admitted that
there was a problem.
According to Vodacom Tanzania’s chief officer
responsible for Corporate Affairs, Ms Georgia Mutagahywa, there was no
multi-million dollar loss in the deal but there is potential for
litigation with Shivacom.
An MP, who has keenly followed the scandal and
claims to be an interested party, told The Citizen that Vodacom’s
admission could lead to litigation by those who bought the fake airtime.
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